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Cao Y, Hayashi CTH, Araujo MDS, Tripathi AK, Andrade AO, Medeiros JF, Vinetz J, Kumar N. Evaluation of combination vaccines targeting transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Vaccine 2024; 42:126140. [PMID: 39033079 PMCID: PMC11338703 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Transmission-blocking vaccines interrupting malaria transmission within mosquitoes represent an ideal public health tool to eliminate malaria at the population level. Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax account for more than 90% of the global malaria burden, co-endemic in many regions of the world. P25 and P48/45 are two leading candidates for both species and have shown promising transmission-blocking activity in preclinical and clinical studies. However, neither of these target antigens as individual vaccines has induced complete transmission inhibition in mosquitoes. In this study, we assessed immunogenicity of combination vaccines based on P25 and P48/45 using a DNA vaccine platform to broaden vaccine specificity against P. falciparum and P. vivax. Individual DNA vaccines encoding Pvs25, Pfs25, Pvs48/45 and Pfs48/45, as well as various combinations including (Pvs25 + Pvs48/45), (Pfs25 + Pfs48/45), (Pvs25 + Pfs25), and (Pvs48/45 + Pfs48/45), were evaluated in mice using in vivo electroporation. Potent antibody responses were induced in mice immunized with individual and combination DNA vaccines, and specific antibody responses were not compromised when combinations of DNA vaccines were evaluated against individual DNA vaccines. The anti-Pvs25 IgG from individual and combination groups revealed concentration-dependent transmission-reducing activity (TRA) in direct membrane feeding assays (DMFA) using blood from P. vivax-infected donors in Brazil and independently in ex vivo MFA using Pvs25-transgenic P. berghei. Similarly, anti-Pfs25 and anti-Pfs48/45 IgGs from mice immunized with Pfs25 and Pfs48/45 DNA vaccines individually and in various combinations revealed antibody dose-dependent TRA in standard membrane feeding assays (SMFA) using culture-derived P. falciparum gametocytes. However, antibodies induced by immunization with Pvs48/45 DNA vaccines were ineffective in DMFA and require further vaccine construct optimization, considering the possibility of induction of both transmission-blocking and transmission-enhancing antibodies revealed by competition ELISA. These studies provide a rationale for combining multiple antigens to simultaneously target transmission of malaria caused by P. falciparum and P. vivax.
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MESH Headings
- Malaria Vaccines/immunology
- Malaria Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Animals
- Malaria, Falciparum/prevention & control
- Malaria, Falciparum/transmission
- Malaria, Falciparum/immunology
- Plasmodium falciparum/immunology
- Plasmodium falciparum/genetics
- Plasmodium vivax/immunology
- Plasmodium vivax/genetics
- Malaria, Vivax/prevention & control
- Malaria, Vivax/transmission
- Malaria, Vivax/immunology
- Mice
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Female
- Vaccines, Combined/immunology
- Vaccines, Combined/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/immunology
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Humans
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cao
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA
| | - Clifford T H Hayashi
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA
| | - Maisa da Silva Araujo
- Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária, Laboratório de Entomologia - FIOCRUZ RO, Rua da Beira 7671, CEP 76812-245 Porto Velho RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil
| | - Abhai K Tripathi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alice Oliveira Andrade
- Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária, Laboratório de Entomologia - FIOCRUZ RO, Rua da Beira 7671, CEP 76812-245 Porto Velho RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil
| | - Jansen Fernandes Medeiros
- Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária, Laboratório de Entomologia - FIOCRUZ RO, Rua da Beira 7671, CEP 76812-245 Porto Velho RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Fiocruz Rondônia 76812-245, Brazil
| | - Joseph Vinetz
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, and Alexander von Humboldt Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA.
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Balam S, Miura K, Ayadi I, Konaté D, Incandela NC, Agnolon V, Guindo MA, Diakité SA, Olugbile S, Nebie I, Herrera SM, Long C, Kajava AV, Diakité M, Corradin G, Herrera S, Herrera MA. Cross-reactivity of r Pvs48/45, a recombinant Plasmodium vivax protein, with sera from Plasmodium falciparum endemic areas of Africa. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.10.588966. [PMID: 38659832 PMCID: PMC11042229 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.10.588966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Background Ps48/45, a Plasmodium gametocyte surface protein, is a promising candidate for malaria transmission-blocking (TB) vaccine. Due to its relevance for a multispecies vaccine, we explored the cross-reactivity and TB activity of a recombinant P. vivax Ps48/45 protein (rPvs48/45) with sera from P. falciparum-exposed African donors. Methods rPvs48/45 was produced in Chinese hamster ovary cell lines and tested by ELISA for its cross-reactivity with sera from Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Mali, and Nigeria - In addition, BALB/c mice were immunized with the rPvs48/45 protein formulated in Montanide ISA-51 and inoculated with a crude extract of P. falciparum NF-54 gametocytes to evaluate the parasite-boosting effect on rPvs48/45 antibody titers. Specific anti-rPvs48/45 IgG purified from African sera was used to evaluate the ex vivo TB activity on P. falciparum, using standard mosquito membrane feeding assays (SMFA). Results rPvs48/45 protein showed cross-reactivity with sera of individuals from all four African countries, in proportions ranging from 94% (Tanzania) to 40% (Nigeria). Also, the level of cross-reactive antibodies varied significantly between countries (p<0.0001), with a higher antibody level in Mali and the lowest in Nigeria. In addition, antibody levels were higher in adults (≥ 17 years) than young children (≤ 5 years) in both Mali and Tanzania, with a higher proportion of responders in adults (90%) than in children (61%) (p<0.0001) in Mali, where male (75%) and female (80%) displayed similar antibody responses. Furthermore, immunization of mice with P. falciparum gametocytes boosted anti-Pvs48/45 antibody responses, recognizing P. falciparum gametocytes in indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Notably, rPvs48/45 affinity-purified African IgG exhibited a TB activity of 61% against P. falciparum in SMFA. Conclusion African sera (exposed only to P. falciparum) cross-recognized the rPvs48/45 protein. This, together with the functional activity of IgG, warrants further studies for the potential development of a P. vivax and P. falciparum cross-protective TB vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saidou Balam
- International Center for Excellence in Research (ICER-Mali), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Imen Ayadi
- Immunobiology Department, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Drissa Konaté
- International Center for Excellence in Research (ICER-Mali), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Valentina Agnolon
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland aaaa
| | - Merepen A Guindo
- International Center for Excellence in Research (ICER-Mali), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Seidina A.S. Diakité
- International Center for Excellence in Research (ICER-Mali), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Sope Olugbile
- Immunobiology Department, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Issa Nebie
- Groupe de Recherche Action Santé (GRAS), Burkina Faso, West Africa
| | | | - Carole Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Andrey V. Kajava
- Montpellier Cell Biology Research Center (CRBM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, France
| | - Mahamadou Diakité
- International Center for Excellence in Research (ICER-Mali), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Socrates Herrera
- Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia
- Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia
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Kanoi BN, Nagaoka H, Morita M, Tsuboi T, Takashima E. Leveraging the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system to accelerate malaria vaccine development. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102224. [PMID: 33137499 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines against infectious diseases have had great successes in the history of public health. Major breakthroughs have occurred in the development of vaccine-based interventions against viral and bacterial pathogens through the application of classical vaccine design strategies. In contrast the development of a malaria vaccine has been slow. Plasmodium falciparum malaria affects millions of people with nearly half of the world population at risk of infection. Decades of dedicated research has taught us that developing an effective vaccine will be time consuming, challenging, and expensive. Nevertheless, recent advancements such as the optimization of robust protein synthesis platforms, high-throughput immunoscreening approaches, reverse vaccinology, structural design of immunogens, lymphocyte repertoire sequencing, and the utilization of artificial intelligence, have renewed the prospects of an accelerated discovery of the key antigens in malaria. A deeper understanding of the major factors underlying the immunological and molecular mechanisms of malaria might provide a comprehensive approach to identifying novel and highly efficacious vaccines. In this review we discuss progress in novel antigen discoveries that leverage on the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system (WGCFS) to accelerate malaria vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard N Kanoi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Hikaru Nagaoka
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
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Frimpong A, Kusi KA, Ofori MF, Ndifon W. Novel Strategies for Malaria Vaccine Design. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2769. [PMID: 30555463 PMCID: PMC6281765 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The quest for a licensed effective vaccine against malaria remains a global priority. Even though classical vaccine design strategies have been successful for some viral and bacterial pathogens, little success has been achieved for Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the deadliest form of malaria due to its diversity and ability to evade host immune responses. Nevertheless, recent advances in vaccinology through high throughput discovery of immune correlates of protection, lymphocyte repertoire sequencing and structural design of immunogens, provide a comprehensive approach to identifying and designing a highly efficacious vaccine for malaria. In this review, we discuss novel vaccine approaches that can be employed in malaria vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustina Frimpong
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Immunology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Immunology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Michael Fokuo Ofori
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Immunology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Wilfred Ndifon
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana.,African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
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Datta D, Bansal GP, Gerloff DL, Ellefsen B, Hannaman D, Kumar N. Immunogenicity and malaria transmission reducing potency of Pfs48/45 and Pfs25 encoded by DNA vaccines administered by intramuscular electroporation. Vaccine 2017; 35:264-272. [PMID: 27912985 PMCID: PMC5192010 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.11.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Pfs48/45 and Pfs25 are leading candidates for the development of Plasmodium falciparum transmission blocking vaccines (TBV). Expression of Pfs48/45 in the erythrocytic sexual stages and presentation to the immune system during infection in the human host also makes it ideal for natural boosting. However, it has been challenging to produce a fully folded, functionally active Pfs48/45, using various protein expression platforms. In this study, we demonstrate that full-length Pfs48/45 encoded by DNA plasmids is able to induce significant transmission reducing immune responses. DNA plasmids encoding Pfs48/45 based on native (WT), codon optimized (SYN), or codon optimized and mutated (MUT1 and MUT2), to prevent any asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation were compared with or without intramuscular electroporation (EP). EP significantly enhanced antibody titers and transmission blocking activity elicited by immunization with SYN Pfs48/45 DNA vaccine. Mosquito membrane feeding assays also revealed improved functional immunogenicity of SYN Pfs48/45 (N-glycosylation sites intact) as compared to MUT1 or MUT2 Pfs48/45 DNA plasmids (all N-glycosylation sites mutated). Boosting with recombinant Pfs48/45 protein after immunization with each of the different DNA vaccines resulted in significant boosting of antibody response and improved transmission reducing capabilities of all four DNA vaccines. Finally, immunization with a combination of DNA plasmids (SYN Pfs48/45 and SYN Pfs25) also provides support for the possibility of combining antigens targeting different life cycle stages in the parasite during transmission through mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dibyadyuti Datta
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Geetha P Bansal
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | | | - Barry Ellefsen
- ICHOR Medical Systems Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Drew Hannaman
- ICHOR Medical Systems Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States.
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The s48/45 six-cysteine proteins: mediators of interaction throughout the Plasmodium life cycle. Int J Parasitol 2016; 47:409-423. [PMID: 27899328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
During their life cycle Plasmodium parasites rely upon an arsenal of proteins that establish key interactions with the host and vector, and between the parasite sexual stages, with the purpose of ensuring infection, reproduction and proliferation. Among these is a group of secreted or membrane-anchored proteins known as the six-cysteine (6-cys) family. This is a small but important family with only 14 members thus far identified, each stage-specifically expressed during the parasite life cycle. 6-cys proteins often localise at the parasite surface or interface with the host and vector, and are conserved in different Plasmodium species. The unifying feature of the family is the s48/45 domain, presumably involved in adhesion and structurally related to Ephrins, the ligands of Eph receptors. The most prominent s48/45 members are currently under functional investigation and are being pursued as vaccine candidates. In this review, we examine what is known about the 6-cys family, their structure and function, and discuss future research directions.
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Cao Y, Bansal GP, Merino K, Kumar N. Immunological Cross-Reactivity between Malaria Vaccine Target Antigen P48/45 in Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum and Cross-Boosting of Immune Responses. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158212. [PMID: 27438603 PMCID: PMC4954667 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In general, malaria immunity has been suggested to be species specific with very little, if any, known cross-reactivity between Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum, both of which are responsible for >90% of human malaria, and co-endemic in many countries. It is therefore believed that species-specific immunity may be needed to target different species of Plasmodium. Pfs48/45 and Pvs48/45 are well established targets in the sexual stages of the malaria parasites, and are being pursued for the development of transmission blocking vaccines. Comparison of their sequences reveals 61% and 55% identity at the DNA and protein level, respectively raising the possibility that these two target antigens might share cross-reacting epitopes. Having succeeded in expressing recombinant Pfs48/45 and Pvs48/45 proteins, we hypothesized that these proteins will not only exhibit immunological cross–reactivity but also cross-boost immune responses. Mice were immunized with purified recombinant proteins using CFA, Montanide ISA-51 and alum as adjuvants, and the sera were analyzed by ELISA, Western blotting and indirect fixed and live IFA to address the hypothesis. Our studies revealed that Pvs48/45-immune sera showed strong cross-reactivity to full length Pfs48/45 protein, and the majority of this cross reactivity was in the amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal sub-fragments of Pfs48/45. In cross-boosting experiments Pfs48/45 and Pvs48/45 antigens were able to cross-boost each other in mouse immunization studies. Additionally we also noticed an effect of adjuvants in the overall magnitude of observed cross-reactivity. These studies may have significant implications for immunity targeting transmission of both the species of malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cao
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States of America
| | - Geetha P. Bansal
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States of America
| | - Kristen Merino
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States of America
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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